Ninkovic has last laugh over Sydney in ALM

Western Sydney Wanderers recruit Milos Ninkovic has helped seal a 1-0 defeat of his former side Sydney FC in a highly anticipated A-League Men derby.

Solid starts from both teams to 2022-23 laid the groundwork for an exciting derby and Ninkovic’s off-season defection ensured a bitter one.

A dual Johnny Warren medallist in seven seasons with Sydney, Ninkovic became only the seventh player to represent both sides in the cross-town fixture and was met with a chorus of boos every time he touched the ball at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night.

The Sky Blue faithful unfurled a tifo claiming “Legends are cherished, traitors’ legacies will perish” and rejoiced when their pantomime villain blew a golden chance at point-blank range midway through the second half.

But Ninkovic redeemed himself only minutes later by connecting with Kusini Yengi, who shot straight into the back of the net to give the Wanderers something to show for multiple early chances.

Western Sydney managed eight shots in the first half but the score remained 0-0 to the break, with Sydney firing off the only strike on target.

Sydney FC goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne made it through his last game before the World Cup unscathed, the match’s loan Socceroo blocking a shot from Brandon Borrello in the 34th minute that was the Wanderers’ best chance to that point.

But Redmayne saved his finest moment for the second half.

Sulejman Krpic crossed to Ninkovic, who had a clean look at the goal, but hesitated and then thundered his strike straight into Redmayne’s arms.

The Sydney FC crowd erupted as their captain triumphed and their ex-favourite son faltered.

But it was Ninkovic who had the last laugh by setting up a goal that had members of the Red and Black Bloc storming the pitch at the Randwick end.

Sydney continued to have chances – most notably spraying two shots above the posts in quick succession just before stoppage time – but the Wanderers held on.

The Wanderers’ first win at Allianz Stadium in nine years hoists them into second place on the ladder, where they will remain until the A-League Men competition returns from hiatus in December.

Sydney FC, meanwhile, are now winless in three outings at their refurbished home ground and could drop out of the top six during the World Cup break.